Final Blog!

This class was really tough in a lot of ways, but also very informative. I enjoyed learning about the status of our environmental and occupational health. I feel it was important to understand the risks out there and their impact on public health. Unfortunately, was also very depressing to be exposed to how many risks there are and how unprepared we are to overcome them. So many are integrated into the ways of our country, it seems insurmountable to overcome. That said, there are small avenues in if I keep my eye focused on singular issues rather than the status as a whole. Blogging and sharing our depressions was helpful so I know I'm not alone! It was a unique way to stay engaged with the course content as well, especially in the online weeks.

12.9 Blog: Climate Change

1. What do you personally find most troubling about climate change?

I find the irreparable change of our world to be the most troubling about climate change. The fact that species who are not contributing to this at all are being wiped extinct is so troubling to grapple with. This and the destruction of the world for our future generations that I want to contribute to creating is really troubling. 

2. As a public health professional, what do you think needs the greatest attention right now?

Fossil fuels fossil fuels fossil fuels. I think we need to stop fracking, participating in processes that endorse and include big oil, reduce plastic use, and take steps to preserve and reverse the damage on the environment. 

3. If you were visiting with a long-lost relative who had never heard about climate change, how would you describe it and its attendant human health and ecological threats?

With the increase in gas emissions from industrialized countries and processes, we are disrupting the earth's ability to breath fully. The gasses are trapped in the atmosphere with the chemical byproducts we put on our plants in them. The gasses trap heat in the atmosphere and melt our icecaps, raise temperatures all over the world and altering our ecosystem. The chemicals in the atmosphere also recirculate into the ecosystem, covering our food products and entering our bodies to disrupt our own biological health. Ultimately, it destroys habitats for animals and our own hormonal systems in our bodies. 

11.5 Blog about a Zero Waste Life

Lauren Singer is very inspiring. It's a bold move to aim for zero waste and she's likely gotten closer than most. I appreciated her approach to making her own home care products as she ran out of others. I think I might adopt that as this class has taught me how little we know about what we buy. I hope to use her blog to find ways to do this and make this more of a lifelong process. Could be good holiday gifts too...maybe.